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Red Hat, SYNNEX Partner To Drive Open Source Adoption In Mid-Markets

SYNNEX establishes Open Source Channel Alliance to offer resellers a single source to build open source practice

RALEIGH, N.C.
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April 14, 2009
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Red Hat, Inc. (NYSE: RHT), the world's leading provider of open source solutions, together with SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE: SNX), a leading business process services company, today announced the launch of the Open Source Channel Alliance. Based on a consortium of open source Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) led by Red Hat, the Open Source Channel Alliance is aimed at delivering the value of open source technologies to a large base of Value Added Resellers (VARs) and System Integrators through an expanded partnership with SYNNEX. SYNNEX has signed agreements with the nine founding ISV members to distribute a variety of open source ISV applications in addition to Red Hat Enterprise Linux and JBoss Enterprise Middleware.

"Through the formation of the Open Source Channel Alliance, we are making investments in open source because of the trusted solutions and potential for significant cost savings that it brings to the marketplace--two factors that, we believe, will drive open source adoption in the mid-market," commented Peter Larocque, president of U.S. distribution at SYNNEX Corporation. "This alliance will enable us to provide complete open source solution packages that can deliver the kind of return-on-investment that our customers require, especially given the current economic environment."

SYNNEX' commitment and investment in open source solutions through the establishment of the alliance is a major validation point for open source. The series of partnerships map out a new opportunity for SYNNEX. As the first distributor to partner with an entire group of open source ISVs, SYNNEX can offer its resellers end-to-end solutions, utilizing the advantages of an open source platform.

"This is a very exciting time for open source in the channel. Our expanded partnership with SYNNEX allows us to create a scalable way to bring the power of open source solutions to a wider range of resellers. SYNNEX has a deep understanding of how to leverage the channel markets and there is a surge of demand for open source, so our partnership is well timed to meet market dynamics," said Roger Egan, vice president of channel sales, North America, Red Hat.

Charter members of the Open Source Channel Alliance are: Alfresco, EnterpriseDB, Ingres, Jaspersoft, Likewise, Pentaho, Zmanda, Zenoss and Zimbra. Red Hat has identified this group of companies as providers of enterprise-ready, open source applications and solutions that are supported on Red Hat Enterprise Linux and JBoss Enterprise Middleware, so SYNNEX' network of resellers can be assured that they are bringing proven open source solutions to their customers.

Currently the Open Source Channel Alliance is available in the North American markets and is expected to be open to additional open source ISVs in the future. Open source applications within the alliance will be available to SYNNEX' more than 15,000 resellers.

"As a long-time Red Hat business partner and SYNNEX customer, we are excited about the establishment of the Open Source Channel Alliance. Until now, having access to a broad set of open source tools hasn't been available; it was up to the reseller to bring it all together. The alliance will fill that need and serve as a convergence point for market-leading, open source application providers that will simplify and streamline the process for reselling complete end-to-end solutions through the distribution channel," said Joe Dickman, managing director, Vizuri. "Delivering the value of a complete open source solution set to our customers will be easier than ever and will help clear the way for continued open source adoption."

"Our customers need the value inherent in open source solutions, especially in this economy when IT budgets are shrinking. We are committed to providing that value and working through SYNNEX and the Open Source Channel Alliance will help us deliver on that promise," said John Barnes, executive director of sales, Groupware Technology. "At Groupware, we are focused on solving strategic business problems and providing leadership to our customers. We see end-to-end open source solutions as a way to do that."

About Red Hat, Inc.

Red Hat, the world's leading open source solutions provider, is headquartered in Raleigh, NC with over 65 offices spanning the globe. CIOs ranked Red Hat as one of the top vendors delivering value in Enterprise Software for five consecutive years in the CIO Insight Magazine Vendor Value survey. Red Hat provides high-quality, affordable technology with its operating system platform, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, together with applications, management and Services Oriented Architecture (SOA) solutions, including JBoss Enterprise Middleware. Red Hat also offers support, training and consulting services to its customers worldwide. Learn more: http://www.redhat.com.

About SYNNEX

SYNNEX Corporation, a Fortune 500 corporation, is a leading business process services company, servicing resellers and original equipment manufacturers in multiple regions around the world. The Company provides services in IT distribution, supply chain management, contract assembly and global business services. Founded in 1980, SYNNEX employs over 7,000 associates worldwide and operates in the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. Additional information about SYNNEX may be found online at www.synnex.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: risks related to delays or reductions in information technology spending, the integration of acquisitions and the ability to market successfully acquired technologies and products; the ability of the Company to effectively compete; the inability to adequately protect Company intellectual property and the potential for infringement or breach of license claims of or relating to third party intellectual property; the ability to deliver and stimulate demand for new products and technological innovations on a timely basis; risks related to data and information security vulnerabilities; ineffective management of, and control over, the Company's growth and international operations; fluctuations in exchange rates; adverse results in litigation; changes in and a dependence on key personnel, and expectations related to the Open Source Channel Alliance, as well as other factors contained in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (copies of which may be accessed through the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov), including those found therein under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic conditions, and governmental and public policy changes. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of the press release.

LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. RED HAT® and JBOSS® are registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the US and other countries.

SYNNEX, the SYNNEX Logo, and all other SYNNEX company, product and services names and slogans are trademarks or registered trademarks of SYNNEX Corporation. SYNNEX and the SYNNEX Logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. Other names and marks are the property of their respective owners.

About Red Hat

Red Hat is the world’s leading provider of open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to reliable and high-performing cloud, Linux, middleware, storage and virtualization technologies. Red Hat also offers award-winning support, training, and consulting services. As the connective hub in a global network of enterprises, partners, and open source communities, Red Hat helps create relevant, innovative technologies that liberate resources for growth and prepare customers for the future of IT. Learn more at http://www.redhat.com.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: risks related to delays or reductions in information technology spending; the effects of industry consolidation; the ability of the Company to compete effectively; the integration of acquisitions and the ability to market successfully acquired technologies and products; uncertainty and adverse results in litigation and related settlements; the inability to adequately protect Company intellectual property and the potential for infringement or breach of license claims of or relating to third party intellectual property; the ability to deliver and stimulate demand for new products and technological innovations on a timely basis; risks related to data and information security vulnerabilities; ineffective management of, and control over, the Company’s growth and international operations; fluctuations in exchange rates; and changes in and a dependence on key personnel, as well as other factors contained in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (copies of which may be accessed through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov), including those found therein under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic and political conditions, governmental and public policy changes and the impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.